Analysis
Sydney and Newcastle have the opportunity to turn around horror form slumps in the extended F3 Derby but may end up cancelling each other out in what could be one of the tensest clashes of the season.

The form line for Sydney coach John Kosmina and Newcastle's Gary van Egmond isn't good, both sides having claimed just one victory from the last eight matches. However the coaches will be looking at this match as a chance to kick start a run to the finals, now just eight games away.

Sitting in seventh on 12 points, the Jets have lots to do if they're to defend last year's title. With six points between them and fourth position, a win in this clash is vital to keep pace with the top four as victories by Queensland (third, 19 points), Central Coast (fourth, 18 points) or Wellington (fifth, 18 points) could open up a nine-point gap, which would be all but impossible to close with seven games remaining.

This match appears to be a case of who blinks first in defence. Both teams have very capable defenders, although Newcastle's back four, despite conceding four goals more across the whole season, appears slightly stronger as Adam Griffiths and Jade North form a very effective partnership in central defence. Since conceding nine goals in the first three matches, the Jets have only shipped 12 in the last 10 games, although one of those was Sasa Ognenovski's heartbreaking 94th minute equaliser in the club's 1-1 draw with Adelaide last week.

The Sky Blues' defence, then, may not have the same solidity about it since former skipper Tony Popovic's untimely retirement but the Jets may not have the forward power to exploit this. Last season's competition top goal scorer, Joel Griffiths, still has one match to serve of a suspension earned at Wellington in Round 12 and he's joined in the stands by former Sydney player Mark Milligan, who also has one match of his ban remaining. The Jets are also without the dangerous Jin-Hyung Song for another match with an ankle injury, leaving their forward division particularly threadbare, although Qantas Young Socceroos Marko Jesic is certain to test Sydney's back four with his pace.

Sydney on the other hand is still struggling to overcome a poor run with injury. Brendon Santalab, so often the creator of mercurial goals, is five weeks from resuming with a shoulder injury while Terry McFlynn (knee, 5 weeks) and Simon Colosimo (groin, three weeks) will be fortunate to make it back before finals. This leaves Kosmina relying on a mixture of youth and experience to fire his side.

The experience comes from veteran Dutchman Bobby Petta and star striker John Aloisi. If ever there was a time for Aloisi to fire, it's now. His side's been desperately short of goals since the Round 5 3-0 victory over Adelaide but the former Socceroo is a proven big stage performer and this will be about as big as it gets for Sydney's faltering finals' chances. But Aloisi may also be supported by the crafty Anthony Golec and Brendan Gan in attack, both players proving more than handy customers in Sydney's domineering National Youth League side.